culture

Fifth Saturday of protests against the high cost of living

Thousands of people demonstrated on Saturday, November 14, against the high cost of living, in a fifth Saturday of protests fewer than a week earlier.

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Key facts

  • Despite a lower turnout, the de facto organizers of these marches have not softened their message: the protest against the high cost of living…
  • This march marks a fifth Saturday of mobilization. Across the country, participants showed themselves determined, but fewer in number than the previous week.
  • The watchword remains the cost of living. The marches intend to defend purchasing power that many consider too tight once essential expenses have been paid.

Despite a lower turnout, the de facto organizers of these marches have not softened their message: the protest against the high cost of living continues, Saturday after Saturday.

This march marks a fifth Saturday of mobilization. Across the country, participants showed themselves determined, but fewer in number than the previous week.

The watchword remains the cost of living. The marches intend to defend purchasing power that many consider too tight once essential expenses have been paid.

Alongside young people, yellow vests from the very beginning joined the march to speak out, they too, against the high cost of living.

Another demand ran through part of the gatherings: rejection of the bill on the presumption of legitimate self-defense for law enforcement.

"If it passes, frankly, total impunity is what will prevail at the police level,"said a protester who came to denounce the text.

The majority of the marches took place peacefully. The tone remained that of a social mobilization, focused on prices and making ends meet.

The Interior Ministry said the situation was broadly under control.

Dig deeper

Who are the yellow vests?

A social movement that emerged in France in late 2018, initially against rising fuel prices, and that has become a symbol of protest over the cost of living. Their presence in the march links this mobilization to an older anger over purchasing power.

What is the Ministry of the Interior?

The ministry responsible in particular for the police and the maintenance of public order. It is the one that monitors the marches and assesses whether the situation remains under control.

What is the presumption of legitimate self-defense for law enforcement?

An idea, carried by a bill, that would make it easier to recognize that a police officer or gendarme acted in self-defense when using force. Some protesters see it as a risk of impunity.

What does the slogan of the high cost of living cover?

It refers to the cost of essential spending - housing, food, energy or transport - which leaves little room once the bills are paid. The marches are defending purchasing power deemed too tight.

Why is this fifth Saturday significant?

The protest is repeating Saturday after Saturday, even with fewer people than the previous week. This shows a mobilization that is lasting, focused on prices and making ends meet, rather than an isolated gathering.

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